I am playing the Allies in March 1942. I don't fully understand the off-map supply situation. South Africa received massive supply convoys at the beginning of the game and I assumed that there would be one a month making South Africa a primary source of supply, especially for Australia.

Well, it's March 1942 and I've completely exhausted the supplies in South Africa to the point where they are low on supplies. I've got ships stacked up in South Africa just waiting to load up.

My question is this: Where is the actual 'neverending' supply depot for the British? Adaban? Do I need to be routing all my supply convoys there?

I am spending most of my time in this game manipulating the supply convoys and independent convoys just to make sure that I am getting supplies and fuel to forward areas. I didn't realize this game was some sort of spreadsheet logistics battle. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Can someone point me in the right direction?

How many TKs do I need in Ceylon to keep places like Brisbane fueled up? Thanks

In my experience India produces plenty of supply for that theatre. In my current PBEM (it's Jan of '43) I've got about 2.5 million tons sitting at the Cape with not enough ships to move it. When I do, I send those to Oz or NZ. But those two places need supply shipped to them from the US too. It depends on where your xAKs are. I am low on fuel at the Cape though, I shipped a lot of that to Oz, but now I've stopped so I have an operational supply there.

I am playing the Allies in March 1942. I don't fully understand the off-map supply situation. South Africa received massive supply convoys at the beginning of the game and I assumed that there would be one a month making South Africa a primary source of supply, especially for Australia.

Well, it's March 1942 and I've completely exhausted the supplies in South Africa to the point where they are low on supplies. I've got ships stacked up in South Africa just waiting to load up.

My question is this: Where is the actual 'neverending' supply depot for the British? Adaban? Do I need to be routing all my supply convoys there?

I am spending most of my time in this game manipulating the supply convoys and independent convoys just to make sure that I am getting supplies and fuel to forward areas. I didn't realize this game was some sort of spreadsheet logistics battle. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Can someone point me in the right direction?

How many TKs do I need in Ceylon to keep places like Brisbane fueled up? Thanks

The Independant Supply Convoys are actually LCUs and apear in the Land Reinforcement queue. They go to different places besides CT, and they have different make-ups. You need to check on each one and see what it carries. Many of them carry primarily devices to dump into the pools. Most carry at least some fuel and some supply. You're just in a small dead zone for deliveries. They'll pick up again.

You can also carry unlimited supplies from the UK and EC to CT off-map for no cost in fuel or ship damage.

As the war progresses the Supply Convoys that arrive in CT tend to be just supply and fuel with not so many carrying LCU reinforcements. Keep an eye on this. You may need to ship some fuel in from the Eastern US to CT during the early part of of the war to keep up with demand

Early in the game I set up fuel and supply convoys from East Coast (and sometimes Balboa/Cristobal) to Capetown. (I find its necessary to supplement what comes in organically - especially the fuel.) I run my supply out of Capetown to both Oz and India. Somebody above said India can operate on its own. I disagree. In a game in which the Japanese move on India, supply can be the deciding factor. Later in the game, when the Allies go on the offensive in the theater, I want it flush with supply.

As the war progresses the Supply Convoys that arrive in CT tend to be just supply and fuel with not so many carrying LCU reinforcements. Keep an eye on this. You may need to ship some fuel in from the Eastern US to CT during the early part of of the war to keep up with demand

In my experience you can ship only fuel. The CS convoys bring enough free supply to stock Oz and Colombo if you add in the LI supply Oz makes for free, and maybe with an assist from Bombay for Colombo if you use a lot of auto-convoy from there. Bombay needs fuel from Abadan, but you can dump it all in Karachi and it will walk to Bombay.

The CS convoys do evolve over the course of the war. Sometimes they go to Port Stanley, and sometimes to the Canal Zone. Later in the war some really massive million-plus ones come into Aden (from memory; but they're huge.)

Early in the game I set up fuel and supply convoys from East Coast (and sometimes Balboa/Cristobal) to Capetown. (I find its necessary to supplement what comes in organically - especially the fuel.) I run my supply out of Capetown to both Oz and India. Somebody above said India can operate on its own. I disagree. In a game in which the Japanese move on India, supply can be the deciding factor. Later in the game, when the Allies go on the offensive in the theater, I want it flush with supply.

I've never needed to ship supply to India. Millions of points of fuel, yes. I've never fought a campaign there, but I've campaigned all the way through Indo-China and to Hong Kong on Bombay and Calcutta supply. It was enough. I think many players short India's fuel in order to build Colombo and Oz from the Mideast. I put six-figures a week through Karachi starting Week 1.

Indeed I've seen some of the big Convoys at Aden and as you say they bring in a lot of supplies and fuel. It's a case of putting your shipping assets in the right places at the right times I find

When I've played the AI to engine shut-down in 1946 I ended up just leaving supply in place and using the sealift to move men and planes. I know in one game I looked at Vancouver and had about 17 million supply I didn't need in forward areas.

Basically from Day 1, you need to prioritize your fuel shipments to Oz and Capetown.

Set up auto convoys from the East Coast to Capetown for fuel, set up auto convoys with as many escorts as you can spare (not a lot, but the tankers need protection) from Abadan to Karachi, and set up fuel convoys from Capetown to Perth, and LA/SF/SD to Oz.

Once you've got an idea where your opponent is aiming for, you can set up a way station in the Pacific to supply your forward operations.

I read on here that you need to think of your operations as spokes of a wheel, and the hub of the wheel being a supply base.

Playing DaIronBabes and things are not as generous as I remember in the stock scenarios. For the OP, the convoys come on as LCU, CD (costal defence) units associated with Commonwealth. In DaIronBabes they all come on at Cape Town and the largest that I can find is 380K of supply but most are much less than 200K, fuel is an issue until the end of '44 and the small amount that comes in with the convoys is barely enough to keep your CS runs to Oz topped up. I definitely recall a low spot in Mar/Apr 42 and another in early 43. I have not transferred anything from the UK or EC to CT yet but will look at that now that you have pointed it out. The Med is now open for my so that should shorten the distances. I agree that India needs a supply supplement, and this helps the air-bridge to China as well, so I've been spending shipping to get it there.

For fuel I find Abadan keeps me going and I can keep India and - at a stretch (if Jap subs, Betties and raiders cooperate) Oz - supplied with fuel from there. The place never seems to run out!

Aden is a problem - it doesn't get enough supply or fuel to keep things going and I need to make sure my troop convoys have 'load only troops' clicked or I can drain it in a heartbeat and the convoy is waiting several days trying to top up supplies before departing for India with a much needed fighter squadron.

Port Stanley - at least in DaIronBabes is a starving rock with nothing but penguins and sheep unless you send supply there - and I don't see the reason to. I do recall that in stock it gets some supply automatically.

For the OP, you can set up 'CS' convoys to handle most of the nausea but I try and go back to each base once a month or so to monitor the situation. During one of the low spots (which you are in) I got bored with having a bunch of ships tied up at Cape Town and sent them all to the WC where they were either converted to xAPs (such as the Dominion and Pacific Troop class') and other useful ships or have been busy keeping Oz supplied from the WC - a bit longer but Sydney has a much better rail network for distribution than Perth anyway.

Basically from Day 1, you need to prioritize your fuel shipments to Oz and Capetown.

Set up auto convoys from the East Coast to Capetown for fuel, set up auto convoys with as many escorts as you can spare (not a lot, but the tankers need protection) from Abadan to Karachi, and set up fuel convoys from Capetown to Perth, and LA/SF/SD to Oz.

I wouldn't use auto-convoys on this run if by auto-convoy you mean CS. They default to Cruise speed. Off-map you can run at Full and the code will auto-refuel if you don't first leave with ships at 0 fuel. Full cuts days and days off the route.

Aden is a problem - it doesn't get enough supply or fuel to keep things going and I need to make sure my troop convoys have 'load only troops' clicked or I can drain it in a heartbeat and the convoy is waiting several days trying to top up supplies before departing for India with a much needed fighter squadron.

Port Stanley - at least in DaIronBabes is a starving rock with nothing but penguins and sheep unless you send supply there - and I don't see the reason to. I do recall that in stock it gets some supply automatically.

For the OP, you can set up 'CS' convoys to handle most of the nausea but I try and go back to each base once a month or so to monitor the situation. During one of the low spots (which you are in) I got bored with having a bunch of ships tied up at Cape Town and sent them all to the WC where they were either converted to xAPs (such as the Dominion and Pacific Troop class') and other useful ships or have been busy keeping Oz supplied from the WC - a bit longer but Sydney has a much better rail network for distribution than Perth anyway.

B

For Aden I just throw 3-4 xAKs in at Abadan and CS them to run to Aden with fuel and supplies. Plenty to build out Aden's infrastructure and provide fuel and supply for TFs bound for the map. Aden makes a tiny bit organically, but Abadan makes more and it can help out.

Port Stanley can be used creatively to raid Christmas I. and the southern islands, or Tarawa and vicinity without having to transit on-map from WC or Pearl. You can just . . . appear . . . behind his search zones from deep to the SE. You can also, if you have patience, fill Stanley with fuel and launch Oz TFs from there and avoid having to dodge subs at San Diego or dogleg past Tarawa.

There are many, many creative things you can do with the off-map mechanisms if you put a little prep into it. Off-map is "free" of fuel use and damage accumulation. I keep saying it, so one more time--it's one of the best features the Allies have.

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

quote:

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Basically from Day 1, you need to prioritize your fuel shipments to Oz and Capetown.

Set up auto convoys from the East Coast to Capetown for fuel, set up auto convoys with as many escorts as you can spare (not a lot, but the tankers need protection) from Abadan to Karachi, and set up fuel convoys from Capetown to Perth, and LA/SF/SD to Oz.

I wouldn't use auto-convoys on this run if by auto-convoy you mean CS. They default to Cruise speed. Off-map you can run at Full and the code will auto-refuel if you don't first leave with ships at 0 fuel. Full cuts days and days off the route.

If you set up the CS convoy, then you can go back and set it for full speed. It has been working fine for me.

Note that ships with a max speed of 10,11,12, or 13 will all travel 6 'hexes' per day. Those with a max speed of 14, 15, or 16 will travel 8 'hexes' per day. those with a max speed of 17 will travel 10 'hexes' per day. I use xAKs with a max speed of 14 to haul fuel and supply from the EUSA to Capetown. Moves quite fast.

If you set up the CS convoy, then you can go back and set it for full speed. It has been working fine for me.

Well, yeah, but doesn't that remove the usefulness of CS convoys?

Note that ships with a max speed of 10,11,12, or 13 will all travel 6 'hexes' per day. Those with a max speed of 14, 15, or 16 will travel 8 'hexes' per day. those with a max speed of 17 will travel 10 'hexes' per day. I use xAKs with a max speed of 14 to haul fuel and supply from the EUSA to Capetown. Moves quite fast.

Speed grouping is key. Nothing like finding a 10-kt xAKL burined in the middle of a TF of 14-kt speeders.

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Bullwinkle58, why do you think setting a CS convoy at full speed removes the usefulness of the CS convoy? I use them all the time for travel between two off map bases with no problem. They travel at full speed with no problem and reload fine.

I'm in two PBEMs in late 43 and early 44. My advice at the start is max supply from CT to Calcutta so you can feed Ledo, Chittagong and Akyab. You will run CT dry to start with but very soon the AKs won't be able to keep up and then Aden opens and your supply will be on overload. Oz to start with but Sydney pretty much looks after itself when you get to mid 43 depending on how aggressive the Japs have been. I think the trick is getting the right AKs to CT and Aden very early. I put long range AKs to CT to ship supplies to Calcutta then Chittagong (and eventually Rangoon) and short range AKs to Aden to supply Karachi (and with AC) at the start. Come late 43 you will be awash with transports so don't worry. This is even having converted what I can to APs.

Bullwinkle58, why do you think setting a CS convoy at full speed removes the usefulness of the CS convoy? I use them all the time for travel between two off map bases with no problem. They travel at full speed with no problem and reload fine.

Because if you have to babysit the speed they aren't automatic. Not that they don't work, but that you don't gain anything by the CS.

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cpt Sherwood

Bullwinkle58, why do you think setting a CS convoy at full speed removes the usefulness of the CS convoy? I use them all the time for travel between two off map bases with no problem. They travel at full speed with no problem and reload fine.

Because if you have to babysit the speed they aren't automatic. Not that they don't work, but that you don't gain anything by the CS.

I do not understand, I do not have to 'baby' them. I just set them up and let them run. I have some that are on their third voyage, all completely normal CS TFs. Once you create the TF, make it a CS, reset the speed to full, there is nothing else needed. They will stay at full speed until you change it.

Cape Town is an important supply hub, but it's easy to run it dry of fuel in early '42.

IME this happens when on-map convoys return to CT set for 'full refuel', a lot of these will be 'fleeing refugees' from the DEI.

far better to set these guys to 'do not refuel' & 'auto-disband' on their arrival in CT. those w/ any fuel > 0 can be sent on to EC USA, thanks to auto-refuel of off-map movement, they'll arrive safely, where they can fully refuel & load fuel for CT. convoys sent from CT to Perth should be set to 'minimum fuel', but don't let them leave CT if their fuel is 'red'.

Allies have mega fuel available at EC USA, but it'll take lotsa ships & lotsa time to build up a comfortable stock at CT.

Oz fuel distribution from Perth is kinda slow, and might tend to pool into Darwin, when you'd rather have it at Sydney & Townsville. Kiwis will also need some fuel to keep their HI running.

Bullwinkle58, why do you think setting a CS convoy at full speed removes the usefulness of the CS convoy? I use them all the time for travel between two off map bases with no problem. They travel at full speed with no problem and reload fine.

Because if you have to babysit the speed they aren't automatic. Not that they don't work, but that you don't gain anything by the CS.

I do not understand, I do not have to 'baby' them. I just set them up and let them run. I have some that are on their third voyage, all completely normal CS TFs. Once you create the TF, make it a CS, reset the speed to full, there is nothing else needed. They will stay at full speed until you change it.

Ack, you're right. I had thought they reset to Cruise when they docked to unload, but they don't. Mea culpa.

Cape Town is an important supply hub, but it's easy to run it dry of fuel in early '42.

IME this happens when on-map convoys return to CT set for 'full refuel', a lot of these will be 'fleeing refugees' from the DEI.

far better to set these guys to 'do not refuel' & 'auto-disband' on their arrival in CT. those w/ any fuel > 0 can be sent on to EC USA, thanks to auto-refuel of off-map movement, they'll arrive safely, where they can fully refuel & load fuel for CT. convoys sent from CT to Perth should be set to 'minimum fuel', but don't let them leave CT if their fuel is 'red'.

Allies have mega fuel available at EC USA, but it'll take lotsa ships & lotsa time to build up a comfortable stock at CT.

Oz fuel distribution from Perth is kinda slow, and might tend to pool into Darwin, when you'd rather have it at Sydney & Townsville. Kiwis will also need some fuel to keep their HI running.

This is excellent advice.

Moose Disclosure: I set up a 30-ship TF to go from CT to EC with December refugees in the early days of the war. Some of the ships down below the screen edge were, you guessed it, red 0 on fuel. Did not notice. It is now mid-April and they're still 15 days from New York, some ships with green 14,000 on endurance, some with that red 0. Be careful, kids.

I think the code is still set that fuel will flow, at least in part, to ports based on the number of ships docked or disbanded. My Darwin is flat; I have to send fuel by sea. There is a lot of fuel in-country, it just doesn't go to Darwin.

One of the things I do in OZ is move the ships around to ports I want fuel in. So Melbourne and Sydney are full of ships with only a few ASW ships spread around as needed. It seems to force the fuel to those two ports.

Early in the game I set up fuel and supply convoys from East Coast (and sometimes Balboa/Cristobal) to Capetown. (I find its necessary to supplement what comes in organically - especially the fuel.) I run my supply out of Capetown to both Oz and India. Somebody above said India can operate on its own. I disagree. In a game in which the Japanese move on India, supply can be the deciding factor. Later in the game, when the Allies go on the offensive in the theater, I want it flush with supply.

Canoe says it all. You need a good half dozen large xAK convoys running from the US to Cape Town for the first year and a half of the war. Just set them up and forget. Once the Suez Canal is open, it is not an issue. You have plenty of fuel in the near east but you will need fuel in Cape Town to shuttle to Perth and Port Headland or Darwin if you can get it there. Set these convoys up as soon as you can.